Get Involved

Community involvement is key to the success of Canton Township and to Leisure Services. The Leisure Services department partners with several community boards, foundations and other local organizations to help us meet the recreational needs of the Canton community. Many of our community partners offer high quality programs and events, as well as opportunities to volunteer and give back. Please check back regularly for upcoming events and new opportunities.

Learn more about all that Canton Leisure Services has to offer in our Accreditation Video.

Citizen Advisory Boards

Canton Township committees and commissions help shape the future of our community by serving in an advisory capacity to the Township's departments and Township Board. Those interested in serving in a voluntary capacity on a committee or a commission can learn more from the Board Website of by calling 734/394-5185.

Foundations, Planned Giving, and Memorials

There are many ways that you can support Parks & Recreation. Opportunities to support Canton programs are as diverse and numerous as the programs themselves. With projects and initiatives in sending children with disabilities to camp, the arts, youth leadership, adding beauty to local parks, and more, we can reach further with your support.

Individuals looking to leave a lasting legacy or gift are encouraged to contact the Leisure Services Administration Office at 734/394-5360 or leisure@canton-mi.org.

Senior Center: Canton's Club 55+ Senior Center appreciates the support of its services to Canton's senior population. To learn more about how you can support their efforts, please call 734/394-5485 or email sdiago@canton-mi.org.

Village Theater Seat Sponsor: to learn more about the upcoming Seat Sponsorship opportunity please contact the Performing Arts Coordinator at 734/394-5300 or email jkvoriak@canton-mi.org.

General Donations: To learn more about how to make a gift or donation to Canton Leisure Services parks, programs or facilities, please contact the Administration Office at 734/394-5360 or leisure@canton-mi.org.

Public Input Opportunities

Canton Leisure Services regularly seeks community input on its parks, programs and facilities. The feedback gained from the surveys and focus groups helps to guide the direction of the department. Canton invites residents to provide ongoing feedback in person, through email at leisure@canton-mi.org or by calling 734/394-5360.

Every five years Leisure Services completes a Community Wide Attitude and Interest Survey, as well as a Park Master Plan. The next Community Wide Attitude and Interest Survey will be distributed in 2019. Your input in these and other plans, helps to shape the future of the community.

Focus Groups

Northeast Pocket-Park: CLS is seeking public input for the development of a small pocket-park in Northeast Canton. Pocket Parks are community parks that are generally under a half acre in size. This new park will be located on Koppernick Road, just east of I-275. Residents are invited to provide feedback on the design of the park at several public input sessions.

Public Open House: Thursday, May 16, 2019 6:30-7:30 pm at the Administration Building

Public Open House: Friday, May 17, 2019 9 am- 12 pm at the Summit on the Park

ADA Transition Plan: Canton will host a community input session on March 28, 2019 at 6 pm to discuss the latest revisions to the ADA Transition Plan. To learn more, please contact the ADA Coordinator at 734/394-5260.

Surveys

Northeast Pocket-Park: CLS is seeking public input for the development of a small pocket-park in Northeast Canton. Pocket Parks are community parks that are generally under a half acre in size. This new park will be located on Koppernick Road, just east of I-275. Residents are invited to provide feedback on the design of the park at several public input sessions.

Public Open House: Thursday, May 16, 2019 6:30-7:30 pm at the Administration Building

Public Open House: Friday, May 17, 2019 9 am- 12 pm at the Summit on the Park

Canton 5-Year Park Master Plan: Canton is currently in the process of amending its' Park Master Plan Capital Project List. The Leisure Services Department received valuable citizen input on updating the 5-Year Park Master Plan's Capital Priority List. The next phases of the amendment process will be a Public Hearing and Board Agenda Item on May 28, 2019 at 6 pm. If approved, it will then be forwarded to local and state organizations for adoption. Approved Master Plan Capital Items are then considered eligible for grants.

Special Events

There are many community events that are made possible by citizen involvement. If you would like to be involved in these or other philanthropic opportunities, please email leisure@canton-mi.org or call 734/394-5360.

National Day of Service-Do Good Festival: The National Day of Service and Remembrance effort established the tradition of engaging in community service on 9/11 as an annual and forward-looking tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks. Canton Leisure Services will have 40+ local non-profit, volunteer and service-based organizations hosting a booth and share information about their opportunities to our community members. This is also a great opportunity for you to partake in hands on community service that evening as we will have stations set up with projects such as fleece blankets, kindness rock decorating and letter writing to the troops.

2019 Date TBD

Frog & Toad Survey: The Rouge River Watershed Frog & Toad Survey is a volunteer listening survey. Volunteers are trained to distinguish the breeding calls of the seven frogs and one toad found in the watershed. Surveyors choose a quarter square mile area within the watershed that they survey independently on warm spring nights. Volunteers attend a two hour training workshop in the spring where they are instructed on frogs and toads of the watershed, their calls and how to survey. To learn more visit the Friends of the Rouge Website.

2019 Date TBD

National Night Out: Area residents are invited to spend a special evening celebrating National Night Out in Heritage Park. Join Canton Public Safety, Canton Public Library, Canton Response to Hate Crime Coalition, and Canton Leisure Services for this free event that will also feature 'Not in Our Town' programming.

2019 Date TBD

River Day: Each year in May, Canton partners with the Friends of the Rouge to conduct a clean-up date and educational event at the Lower Rouge Trail. Activities include trail clean-up, plantings, and nature activities/demonstrations. For the current event information visit the River Day Webpage.

2019 Date TBD

Partner Events: Canton partners with many charitable organizations to conduct philanthropic events. To learn more about these and other ways to get involved, please email pkosbe@canton-mi.org or call 734/394-5191.

Student Involvement

Young people are invited to get involved in the Canton community through a variety of volunteer opportunities and through the Youth Advisory Council.

Volunteering at special events and programs is a great way to give back to the community, expand your skill set, and earn service hours. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities visit our Volunteer Webpage or call 734/394-5191.

The Youth Advisory Council (Y.A.C.) continues to assert itself as an influential group of high school students who truly make a difference in their community. Members participate in community service projects, lead special events, participate in local decision making, and award annual grants to organizations that benefit Canton Youth. To learn more visit our B.L.O.C.K. Webpage or call 734/398-5570.

Volunteer Opportunities

Annually over 5,000 volunteers contribute over 22,000 hours at a variety of Leisure Services and Canton community projects. In addition to Canton Township events, Leisure Services partners with over twenty-five area non-profit organizations to recruit volunteers for projects. To learn more about how you can make a difference in Canton, visit our Volunteer Webpage or call 734/394-5191.